EAST LANSING - When Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio took over as head coach of the Spartans five years ago, he made signing four-year defensive linemen a priority in his first recruiting class.

With senior [db]Kevin Pickelman[/db] the lone defensive line recruit remaining from Dantonio's first Spartan recruiting class, replenishing the defensive line was a high priority for the Spartans in 2011.

The Spartans signed six defensive linemen for 2011. The number split evenly between defensive ends and tackles. Michigan State's 2011 defensive line recruits as a group represent one of the best position recruiting classes in the Big Ten and nationally.

"We felt like we needed to take defensive linemen," Dantonio explained. "Based on a couple of position moves and based on losing some people here in the very near future. I think we filled some great needs there at that position."